This past week, a Fort Collins man had an interesting reaction to his car getting towed. He put on a bulletproof vest and a gas mask, grabbed a samurai sword and attacked the two tow truck drivers. Only minor injuries were reported, as one of the tow truck drivers ended up with a cut on his chest, but there was property damage. The man stabbed several tires and was charged with at least 3 crimes.
The lesson to be learned: one incident can land you with numerous charges. Sometimes, one bad choice can really stack the deck against you. Apparently true for this man, he will be facing the following charges:
- Attempted First Degree Assault
- Felony Menacing
- Criminal Mischief
Attempted Assault with a Samurai Sword in Larimer County?
Breaking it down, Attempted First Degree Assault is charged in Larimer, Boulder and Grand County when a person uses a deadly weapon (samurai sword) with the intent to cause serious bodily injury. Now, because no actual serious bodily injuries occurred in this case, the government charges it as an attempt crime. This means the man took “substantial steps” to commit the First Degree Assault, he just was not successful in his endeavor.
Fort Collins and Felony Menacing?
Now, the samurai swordsman was also charged with Menacing. Colorado law defines Menacing as:
Usually this is a class 3 misdemeanor, however when a deadly weapon is involved, it becomes a class 5 felony in Loveland, Boulder and Estes Park.
Criminal Mischief and Slashed Tires
Property damage is the driving force behind the charge of Criminal Mischief. The value of the item or items damaged determines what level misdemeanor or felony is charged. How many tires were slashed and the size and price of each tire will determine the total damages. Probably, it will fall in the $1,000 to $20,000 range, which is a class 4 felony subject to a prison sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
If you or a loved one is facing multiple criminal charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.